April 2017 in the northern hemisphere

[Chris Johnson]

For a variety of reasons I've not been here for a while so I'll have to catch up with everyone's photos later but for the time being here are a few of mine from April;

Welcome back ... I've missed your excellent plants and photographs.

I particularly like the Ornithogalum dubium.

[David Nicholson]

Agreed, welcome back.

[David Nicholson]

Ptilotrichum spinosum 'Roseum' bought from Tim Ingram at a South West AGS Show about three years ago.

Tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket' this one from Hartside

[Robert]

For a variety of reasons I've not been here for a while so I'll have to catch up with everyone's photos later but for the time being here are a few of mine from April;

Meanie,

Ditto! Glad to have you back too! 

Iris japonica was always a bit tender for us up at the farm. Are you growing it outside or over wintered in a greenhouse?

I guess I will off for a few days. Off the Snow Mountain tomorrow! 

[Gerdk]

This is Prunus prostrata - flowering reliably each season

Gerd

[meanie]

Welcome back ... I've missed your excellent plants and photographs.

I particularly like the Ornithogalum dubium.

Agreed, welcome back.

Meanie,

Ditto! Glad to have you back too! 

Iris japonica was always a bit tender for us up at the farm. Are you growing it outside or over wintered in a greenhouse?

Thanks 

Robert - Iris japonica is just outdoors in a large pot. It sits there all year, too frequently without water if I'm honest and the only care it needs is thinning out every couple of years!

David - nice Tiarella! I've been looking at them recently for a shady spot but I'm not sure that they'll handle the dry conditions.

Chris - I saw O.dubium the other day either in Homebase or B&Q. Might be worth a look if you have one or t'other in your area.

I've always wanted to try Cypripedium so when I found one in the bargain bin for a fiver last August I had to take a punt. Kept in a pot in the greenhouse it came into growth in February (which was the first hurdle overcome) and has been in and out of the greenhouse like a yo-yo since. After what seems like an age it is finally in bloom...............

[Lesley Cox]

Cypripediums in the bargain bin! We're likely to get petunias and pansies that missed out on the watering system!

[meanie]

Cypripediums in the bargain bin! We're likely to get petunias and pansies that missed out on the watering system!

That's the one joy of garden centres as opposed to proper plant nurseries - they neither have the space, staff or inclination to overwinter perennials or store out of bloom "exotic" plants. As a result there are some real bargains to be had in the bargain areas 

[Chris Johnson]

Thanks 
Chris - I saw O.dubium the other day either in Homebase or B&Q. Might be worth a look if you have one or t'other in your area.

Ha - nothing that exotic crosses the Minch. The local Co-op might knock 10% off ailing pansies, 20% if they are dead.

[meanie]

Ha - nothing that exotic crosses the Minch. The local Co-op might knock 10% off ailing pansies, 20% if they are dead.

No more exotic that Lachenalia really.

[shelagh]

You may remember this plant from Brian's article on late colour in the garden.  Just to show how long it's flowering season is it is looking in fine fettle at the moment.

[Maggi Young]

By George - it's doing well, isn't it?

[Steve Garvie]

Helonias bullata

[Yann]

Nice surprise this afternoon, looking for the Allium....

[Leucogenes]

One of my favorite Asians ... Pyrethrum leontopodium (Kyrgyzstan, Alatau Mountains, 3400m)